Credibility Issue no Bar to Summary Trial in Personal Injury Case

This injury claimant alleged the bridge designers failed to properly design a manhole cover near the Pitt River Bridge resulting in his car accident injury. The claimant described the manhole as protruding some inches above the surface of the roadway. His claim was dismissed at a summary trial on the basis that he had failed to establish a breach…

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Disability Benefits Deductible from Your Claim for Lost Earnings?

Disability benefits through a work insurance policy for short or long term disability may not be deductible from your client’s anticipated ICBC tort award under the insurance exception. Luis v. Marchiori,2015 BCSC 1 is good law on the matter and quotes Dionne v. Romanick, 2007 BCSC 436, at paras. 113-121 as follows: “[113] The question of whether…

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Higher Burden of Proof for Pain Disorder Dismissed

In this important Court of Appeal decision the court has upheld an award of $85,000 for pain and suffering arising out of a somatic symptom disorder, despite credibility and reliability issues. Also, and more importantly to the personal injury lawyers out there, the Court has dismissed the “higher burden of proof” rhetoric that has been read into…

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Claimant Without Lawyer Has Welfare Deducted

In this self represented car accident case the injury claimant was awarded $49,000 for what she called incapacitating and permanent injuries.  The claimant asked the court to award her approximately $175,000 for pain and suffering s, $243,000 in past wage loss, $616,000 for impaired earning capacity, $409,000 in future care costs, $20,000 in housekeeping expenses and $12,000…

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The Injured to get no Sympathy when Applying Legal Principle says Court

In awarding the full costs of a 28 day medical malpractice trial against the unsuccessful injury claimant the Court of Appeal had this to say, [213]     I am not unsympathetic to the plight of the [] family. As a consequence of this judgment, they face a significant costs award in addition to the burden of continuing…

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Causation Conflated with Mitigation in Chronic Pain Case

  A principal issue in this car accident injury appeal was whether the trial judge erred in finding that the claimant had failed to mitigate.  The symptoms of chronic pain having been conclusively established by the finding of causation, ICBC failed to prove that she had failed to mitigate her injuries (Park v. Targonski,2017 BCCA 134). The court…

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Can ICBC Close My File?

No, ICBC cannot close your file. ICBC is governed by the protection of privacy legislation prohibiting indiscriminate destruction of personal information. If you have complied with the claim application process the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, ICBC, typically has  30 to 60 days to pay the benefits.  Accident Benefits are payable by ICBC, in the case of weekly…

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Driving off the Road not Always Negligent

There is no presumption of negligence in law simply because a vehicle hauling a trailer drives off the road. In a unanimous reversal this son’s negligence claim against his father has been sent back for a new trial.( click here to read Haynes v. Haynes, 2017 BCCA 131 ) A father and son were hauling a trailer loaded…

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The Rise of False Fraud Claims by ICBC Against Innocent Injury Victims

When ICBC makes a false claim of fraud against you this can affect your work, family life, and personal reputation. ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia) is an auto insurance monopoly created by government and, unlike most other Provinces, ICBC investigators hold police type powers and provide crown prosecutors with evidence to lay charges against auto…

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$75,000 for Chronic Injuries to Neck and Shoulder

  A money award after a car accident or fall is meant to provide some solace to an innocent victim of personal injury. Some injuries are not amenable to treatment or complete recovery, such as chronic pain syndrome, and victims will have to suffer pain for the rest of their lives. In today’s ICBC case example…

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